Parent and Patient Information System - ESPU

Parent & Patient Information System 06/09/2015 Page14 / 51 Surgery consists of making a small cut in the scrotum, untwisting the spermatic cord and stitching the testicles to the inside of the scrotum to prevent future torsions. Moreover the contralateral side will be fixed as well because of the probability of torsion on that side as well. When that's finished, the doctor will stitch up the scrotum, and your son will be taken to a recovery room to rest for an hour or two. Following the surgery, your son will need to avoid strenuous activities for a few weeks, and if he's sexually active, he'll need to avoid all sexual activity, too. Talk to the doctor about when it will be safe for your son to resume his normal activities. If a torsion goes on too long, doctors won't be able to save the affected testicle and it will have to be removed surgically, a procedure known as an orchiectomy. Most boys who have a testicle removed but still have a viable testicle can father children later in life. However, many also opt for a prosthetic, or artificial, testicle a few months after surgery. This can help make some boys feel more comfortable about their appearance. With newborn boys, saving the testicle is dependent upon when the torsion occurs. If it takes place before a boy is born, it may be impossible to save the testicle. In this case, the doctor may recommend a surgery at a later date to remove the affected testicle. If the symptoms of a torsion appear after a boy is born, the doctor may recommend emergency surgery to correct the testicle.

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